Simone Biles is ready to compete at the Tokyo Olympics again.
On Monday, USA Gymnastics announced that the 24-year-old will be competing in the fifth (and final) individual event for gymnastics at this year’s Games.
“We are so excited to confirm that you will see two U.S. athletes in the balance beam final tomorrow - Suni Lee AND Simone Biles!! Can't wait to watch you both,” USAG wrote on Twitter.
The news comes almost one week after Biles exited the gymnastics team final last Tuesday due to a case of the “twisties,” which is a mental phenomenon that results in a gymnast no longer being able to perform a trick (or tricks). The champion subsequently withdrew from all her other individual event finals including all-around, vault, bars and floor to focus on her mental health.
“Physically, I feel good, I'm in shape,” she told Hoda Kotb (who was cheering her on from the stands) exclusively on Today. “Emotionally, that kind of varies on the time and moment. Coming here to the Olympics and being the head star isn't an easy feat, so we're just trying to take it one day at a time and we'll see.”
After receiving some backlash for her decision, Biles addressed the criticism on her Instagram Story, where she released footage of herself trying (and failing) to perform her dismount on the uneven bars.
“For anyone saying I quit, I didn’t quit,” she wrote. “My mind and body are simply not in sync. As you can see here.”
But now it looks like she's ready to compete once more.
We’re so happy to have you back, Simone.
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